Just The Wei I Am

I'm tired. I think I am burnt out. I need to take a break. Perhaps take leave next week. Maybe 2 days. One day for a personal retreat. To reflect, think and plan. So much needs thinking about. Vocation, ministry and career. Family. Another day to film and edit Easter MM. Must get down to doing that.

I'm doing a lot of exciting things, but at the moment, I don't really enjoy them because of the stress. I got to clear my slate and get back on track. Detox my agenda. Get rid of everything on hand first.

Meihong asked me about CLC. I really don't know. Maybe not. Or not yet. The course itself will take up one weekday evening, but yet I've been looking forward to the conclusion of my counselling course. I would love to have that evening for my parents, I don't see them enough as it is. That short-term reason aside, what about my vocation? Shouldn't I be faithful with the talent I have, and throw myself more into creative ministry? There is still so much to learn, books to read, to hone my skills in graphics and video. I have the basic skills, I have the interest, I have the creativity, I have the tools - should this be my main focus and direction?

I love my job. I still think it's such a God-given opportunity. How can I find another job like this? I like computers, but do not have an IT degree. Yet here I am in a somewhat-IT job. And there is such a great human aspect to this job. I get to play with computers, and at the same time, I can see how what I do plays a role in touching people's lives.

You know, I believe this is a niche market that could do with more exploration. IT plays essential roles in commerce, entertainment, education, and industry. Couldn't the same be true for the human services sector? Give us the tools, the training and the proprietary applications so common in the business world! Why are VWOs not empowered to harness IT the way the corporate world does so? Tools-wise, how many VWOs have an Exchange server, let alone a Sharepoint server? How many VWOs have a 1:1 PC-worker ratio in the first place?

Technologically, VWOs tend to be somewhat behind, sometimes relying on hand-me-downs in the form of hardware donations. Go to one, and don't be surprised to see Windows 98 running on a Pentium II. Don't be surprised if you see the sole copies of business-critical files being stored on harddisks that are approaching their MTTF (about to die). Don't be surprised if the whole office shares a 56.6kbps connection. Don't be surprised their staff use Hotmail for official correspondence.

You hear of doctors, lawyers, and other professionals giving up lucrative jobs to work in VWOs so as to serve the underprivileged. Seldom heard, but perhaps IT professionals can think along those lines? I got my job because the company didn't require an IT degree, just demonstrated proficiency. They figured that if the job required a formal IT background, they won't be able to get anyone, considering the remuneration. But imagine if these professionals didn't mind the pay, and they joined the human services sector!

Much of the work might be indirect, but it can have huge impact. A social service agency can generate as much information as a SME, but MIS departments are unheard of. Cabinets are aplenty. When the agency is blessed enough to have some IT capability, the furthest it goes is often a clutter of Office documents on a file server (if any). Where are the collaboration software? Project management software? Microsoft Access sits around but noone in the agency knows how to use it?

Come on! Let's have us some IT professionals! No jobs for them? Create them! The needs are there... Can't compete with the corporate world for talents? The ball is in their (professionals') court. We need the software engineer/IT manager/etc equivalent of the humanitarian doctor!

I was so moved after watching the documentary "I have Tourette's, but Tourette's doesn't have me".

Tourette's Syndrome affects a fairly large number of children, although for most the symptoms are so mild they are not noticed. The effects of this hereditary condition lessens with age, and adulthood Tourette's Syndrome is rare.

Because these children exhibit tics - sudden, repetitive, involuntary actions or utterances, they often face social problems such as bullying and ostracisation by their peers. Embarassment, frustration and sense of inferiority are common feelings.

What is encouraging about the kids on that documentary was their strength in overcoming these barriers. They came to accept themselves, and determined not to let the condition get them down. One is a brilliant artist and a karate champion. Another is a dancer who made the honor roll. Another was elected School Secretary and uses his office as a platform for education and advocacy. He estimates that by the end of his term, 81% of the school would have heard of Tourette's. Yet another is a skateboarder and pianist. Another is a talented drummer.

Kids with Tourette's are as intelligent, active and talented as others. It's sad that their peers would bully them, but they can be taught. What is unacceptable is the adults and especially teachers who show them prejudice.

Find out more here.

Imagine and ponder:

Two gents from the premier pre-tertiary institution of our nation (or its affiliate - their uniforms are indistinguishable) seated comfortably in a coffee joint. It's early evening and raining outside. Five dollars cups of coffee. Recline a bit. An old lady comes in, shabby and a little drenched. She risks being chased out or scolded (but then she has nothing to lose), hawking tissue paper. A dollar for three packs. The gents wave her away.